The Carolina Panthers entered the 2026 NFL Draft with the freedom to be both flexible and aggressive. General manager Dan Morgan's calculated free agency set the team up nicely, and another strong class from the college ranks would get them a lot closer to entering the Super Bowl picture.
Obviously, these incoming rookies all have to prove themselves at the game's pinnacle, but the consensus around the media seems to suggest the Panthers have once again found value. And if all meet expectations, this will be another stable foundation for long-term success.
Morgan struck a couple of trades to move up and down the order when the right opportunities presented themselves. There was a focus on athleticism and the trenches. While the Panthers weren't picking based on need, the front-office supremo filled a ton of them, and the roster now looks in pretty good shape before on-field preparations for the new campaign gather pace.
The Panthers are being looked at differently around the league. This isn't the laughingstock operation of old that teams can exploit. There is purpose and ambition, something reflected once again by this draft class.
With this in mind, we took a look and graded every Panthers pick from what was a fascinating 2026 NFL Draft.
Grading every Carolina Panthers pick from a profitable 2026 NFL Draft
Carolina Panthers drafted Jackson Kuwatch
- Linebacker | Miami (OH) Redhawks
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 227
The Panthers pulled off a coup with the signing of second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. That didn't prevent Dan Morgan from adding another intriguing option with his final selection of the draft.
Jackson Kuwatch's 2025 breakout season at Miami Ohio didn't go unnoticed. It was surprising, considering he hadn't been involved much previously, but the confidence oozed from his play. His athleticism indicates he may only be scratching the surface of what he's capable of.
Kuwatch was tabbed as a late-round sleeper by analysts. Morgan seemed to agree, and there could be an opening for rotational playing time if he builds up enough momentum throughout the summer.
His ability to close space quickly is a massive positive. Kuwatch is still a little raw, so learning how to get off blocks is crucial. Until then, the Panthers can put his physical attributes to good use on special teams, where he could become an instant impact player.
Draft Grade: A
Seventh-round picks are a lottery with a very low hit rate. However, there is more intrigue around Kuwatch than most late Day 3 options.
Carolina Panthers drafted Zakee Wheatley
- Safety | Penn State Nittany Lions
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 151
Dan Morgan is not a general manager who lets things come to him. If he sees an opportunity to take the Carolina Panthers forward, he will not hesitate for a second to get what he desires.
This was no more evident than in the fifth round. When Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley was sliding beyond the Panthers' projections, calls were made. Morgan surged up to No. 151 to secure his services, a move that showed conviction in what the defensive back can bring to the secondary.
Wheatley looks like the perfect partner for Tre'von Moehrig on the back end. The veteran is more of a box safety who does his best work closer to the line of scrimmage. The incoming rookie excels in coverage, displaying the intelligence and awareness to keep everything in front of him.
Draft Grade: A
It'll be more challenging in the pros, but Wheatley landed in the best possible place.
Carolina Panthers drafted Sam Hecht
- Center | Kansas State Wildcats
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 144
After the Panthers let Cade Mays walk in favor of signing for the Detroit Lions, fans wanted Dan Morgan to find a long-term alternative at the center position. Luke Fortner joined in free agency and should be a solid stopgap, but expecting anything more is unrealistic.
Morgan bided his time, but when Sam Hecht slipped through the cracks and into Carolina's lap at No. 144 overall, it was a gift the former linebacker couldn't turn down.
Hecht was widely regarded as one of the top centers in this class. His pre-draft projections ranged from the low second round to early fourth, but very few had him dropping this far. This represents a high-value selection for the Panthers, and don't be surprised if the Kansas State product pushes Fortner for the starting role sooner rather than later.
Draft Grade: A+
After all, competition breeds success. And now, the Panthers have it at center.
Carolina Panthers drafted Will Lee III
- Cornerback | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 128
While the Panthers have an elite boundary cornerback tandem in Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr., that won't be enough to take the next step. And with the latter entering a contract year, Dan Morgan needed to make contingencies if he ended up departing the franchise next spring.
After a couple of shifts down the board to position Carolina better in the later rounds, the Panthers settled on Will Lee III to fortify their options at corner.
He's got the size and length that look tailor-made for Ejiro Evero's schematic concepts. While Lee wouldn't be classed as a burner by any stretch, there are countless flashes of playmaking ability during his time at Texas A&M.
Draft Grade: B+
Becoming more physical against the run would be wise. Filling out his frame and becoming more aware of zone coverage would also help. But considering where the Panthers got him, this could be a decent investment.
Carolina Panthers drafted Chris Brazzell II
- Wide Receiver | Tennessee Volunteers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 71
Getting quarterback Bryce Young another capable weapon in the passing game was crucial. The Carolina Panthers have a productive tandem in Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, but there were too many concerns about the rest to stand pat.
Dan Morgan realized this, too. The Panthers addressed this need with a potential steal in Chris Brazzell II, who was projected by many experts to be a second-round pick but fell all the way to Carolina at No. 83.
Brazzell is a long, lean wide receiver with explosiveness. He's got the speed to stretch the field, and the large wingspan makes him a significant downfield threat. Despite the worries about Tennessee's offense, when he got the chance to run real routes at Purdue, the player looked accomplished.
Draft Grade: A
This offers something a little different from what the Panthers have right now. Simply put, Brazzell has the scope to open a different dynamic for Young with a smooth transition.
Carolina Panthers drafted Lee Hunter
- Defensive Line | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 49
The Panthers know how to get what they want. Dan Morgan has no trouble moving up or down the draft board if it can benefit the franchise. When the second round wasn't going their way, the front-office leader took decisive action.
And once again, the primary focus centered on trench warfare with Texas A&M nose tackle Lee Hunter.
Carolina needed another capable body on the interior of the defensive line. The Panthers had to release veteran A'Shawn Robinson for salary-cap purposes, which is all part of the business. They now have a younger, cheaper anchor for their front in Hunter, who is an immovable object against the run with the powerful base and violent hands needed to carve out a role for himself immediately.
Draft Grade: B+
While Hunter doesn't offer much in terms of pass-rushing, the Panthers don't need much of that anyway. If Hunter can absorb combination blocks and free up space for others, that'll be enough.
Carolina Panthers drafted Monroe Freeling
- Offensive Tackle | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 19
Dan Morgan had never drafted an offensive lineman since taking charge of the Panthers' front office. He decided that investing heavily in proven veterans was the best route forward, and he was right initially. But for the Panthers to have sustained success with a balanced roster, this was always going to change at some point.
That came with the first pick. The Panthers went against the grain, taking a chance on Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling's exceptionally high ceiling being reached with the No. 19 pick.
Freeling is not the finished article by any stretch, but that's what makes him an exciting prospect. He's a massive edge protector with immense size and length. His testing at the NFL Scouting Combine was absolutely off the charts. Despite his relative lack of experience, the flashes displayed last season were encouraging.
Draft Grade: A-
Just how long it'll take for Freeling to fulfill his promise remains to be seen, but if he does, this will be a home run.